Engine Breather Oil Return Passage Integrated Into Bearing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines with breather chambers face an increase in component parts and size due to the need for a pipe-based oil return passage, which complicates structural arrangement and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An internal combustion engine design that forms an oil return passage within the bearing member and engine block, utilizing existing components like bolt holes and female screw holes to create a compact passage system without adding extra parts, allowing the oil return port to be positioned centrally within the crank chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pipe is used to extend the oil return passage from the breather chamber, then the oil return function is improved, but the number of component parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil return passage function with the bearing member by forming the passage directly within the bearing member's structure. The bearing member now serves dual purposes: supporting the crankshaft and providing the oil return pathway from the breather chamber to the crank chamber, thereby eliminating the need for a separate pipe component.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing member is designed to perform multiple functions: it supports the crankshaft rotation and simultaneously serves as the oil return passage structure. The bolt hole in the bearing member is utilized both for fastening the bearing member to the engine block and as part of the oil return passage, demonstrating multi-functionality that reduces component count.
2Reliability
If a pipe is added to extend the oil return passage, then the oil return capability is improved, but the overall size of the internal combustion engine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oil return passage is merged into the bearing member's internal structure rather than being implemented as an external pipe. This integration allows the oil return function to be achieved within the existing spatial envelope of the bearing member, avoiding any increase in the overall engine size.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil return passage is nested within the bearing member's structure. The passage utilizes the internal volume and structural features (such as the bolt hole) of the bearing member, effectively hiding the oil return pathway within the existing component geometry without adding external volume.
3Length of stationary object
If the oil return passage is formed by a separate pipe, then the oil return path is extended, but the structural arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The oil return passage is combined with the bearing member's structural features, particularly utilizing the bolt hole as part of the passage. This merging simplifies the structural arrangement by eliminating the need for separate pipe connections and reducing the number of joints and interfaces required.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt hole in the bearing member serves dual purposes: fastening the bearing member to the engine block and forming part of the oil return passage. This multi-functionality reduces structural complexity by eliminating the need for separate fastening and passage components.
Data Source
AI summary
In an internal combustion engine, an oil return passage extending from a breather chamber can be formed without increasing the number of component parts and without increasing the size of the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine (1) comprises an engine block (30) defining a cylinder (2); a case member (19) fastened to a lower part of the engine block to define a crank chamber jointly with the engine block; a bearing member (50) fastened to the engine block in the crank chamber to rotatably support a crankshaft; a breather chamber (113) defined in the engine block; an inlet passage (112) formed in the engine block to communicate the crank chamber with the breather chamber; a connection pipe (114) communicating the breather chamber with an intake device; and an oil return passage (150) formed at least in the bearing member, and extending from a bottom part of the breather chamber to an oil return port (147) opening at an outer surface of the bearing member. The oil return port may be provided in a lower part of the bearing member.